By our reporter 2.9.2026
Criminal gangs popularly known as bandits have threatened to kill and burn the houses of Kebbe residents, a major town in the Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to reports the threats came after the bandits imposed a N40 million levy on the residents.
The gunmen allegedly vowed to carry out their threats if the money was not paid in seven days.
Crisis Reporter Bakastine shared the information via his X social media platform saying the bandits conveyed the demand through a farmer, who delivered a telephone handset to the District Head of Kebbe, Mallam Lawal Labbo.
The bandits reportedly initially gave the community five days to raise the money but later extended the deadline to seven days following appeals from residents.
The telephone was subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in the area.
The gunmen allegedly warned that the phone must remain charged and reachable, threatening to attack the town if their calls were not answered.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command was aware of the reported threat and had commenced efforts to address the situation.
“We are aware of the information and we, together with our Anti-Kidnapping Unit, AKU, are already working on the information,” Rufai said.
He added that the bandits had reportedly given the community an ultimatum to raise the N40 million.
The development has heightened fears among residents as the reported deadline approaches, amid concerns over a possible attack if the demand is not met.